Is Hollywood going to close down after next year?

[letswastemoney]

http://thoroughbredtimes.com/nationa...ommitment.aspx

I read Fairplex might take over the dates. Get ready for the....Fairplex Gold Cup???

They just spent all that money for the cushion at Hollywood and now they might close it. I know it's in a bad area, but it's one of the major tracks in the country still. Shouldn't it have some sort of historic protection?!

[2Hot4TV]

Los Alamitos , Fairplex and Santa Anita have plans for this to happen. They have all been waiting, but know body knows when it will happen and I don't see it in the near future with the new housing market taking the hit right now. I read that Fairplex wanted to expand thier track to a 1 mile oval just for these dates.

[Spiggle24]

When Bay MeadowsLLC bought it they had every intention of developing it when the lease aggrement ran out.It's worth alot more in real estate than as a racetrack.It's still all about the money.In the end no slots for Hollywood put the writing on the wall when it was put up for sale by Churchill .

[theiman]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

http://thoroughbredtimes.com/nationa...ommitment.aspx

I read Fairplex might take over the dates. Get ready for the....Fairplex Gold Cup???

They just spent all that money for the cushion at Hollywood and now they might close it. I know it's in a bad area, but it's one of the major tracks in the country still. Shouldn't it have some sort of historic protection?!

Since racing in So Cal will need a turf course I would gather initial dates would be spread between SA and DM. This would be a major disruption in the lives of the horsemen. Its one thing to go to DM for 7 weeks during the summer, its another to race there for 4-6 months a year when your family is back in the LA area. Most horsemen rent houses during the summer or use RV rentals for the regular DM meet. The rentals, homes or RV's are not normally available the rest of the year. SA has always been high on getting the dates during the spring TC races so I could see racing extended until mid June. DM is not available from about June 10th thru July 4th, as the DM Fair, is on the fairgrounds(and on the polycrap track too). Racing at SA in the summer is probably out as it can be very hot there, 95ish every day.

I have heard that representatives from Oak Tree have approached DM officials about hosting the Oak Tree meet after next year when the BC is scheduled to be at SA.

So we could have a schedule of SA for 6 months +, day after Xmas to mid June, maybe later.
DM regular meet
Fpx regular meet
Oak Tree at DM
then HP fall meet at DM

The other tracks will have to expand to a mile dirt and add turf courses to be included into the mix.

The question for DM is who sponsors the late fall meet at DM.
I dont know if DMTC wants to get involved for what could be a money loser.

As for this quote from the Thoroughbred times article

"Cliff Goodrich, representing Fairplex Park, said the track would need to borrow $100-million to build and require 30 months to finish if Hollywood Park ceased operations."

Good luck getting that money for a track. I believe that Fairplex is on LA county grounds and the state isnt going to spend the bucks, unless they open an Indian Casino?

As for HP spending all that money on Cushion track, I am positive I read that CD paid for the track conversion as part of the deal to sell the track.

[fpsoxfan]

Is there still racing in California?

[Sightseek]

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I truly enjoyed the past Hollywood meet.

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I truly enjoyed the past Hollywood meet.

Me too!

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I truly enjoyed the past Hollywood meet.

Playing Hollywood Park and going to Track to watch live racing are 2 different animals. Not the first choice for an afternoon out in So Cal. The people that live near the track don't go outside after dark.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I truly enjoyed the past Hollywood meet.

I LOVED the spring Hollywood meet.....

[ArlJim78]

Hollywood is perhaps my favorite. Never been there but it's fun to play the track of the lakes and flowers.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I actually did as well. Not so much Del Mar, a meet I usually love to play. I think I might have bet 10 races since it opened.

I see Del Mar as the enemy...too many people try to decide which is better; Del Mar or Saratoga.

[Left Bank]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

I see Del Mar as the enemy...too many people try to decide which is better; Del Mar or Saratoga.

Oh come on!! There is nothing but good racing at Del Mar!!

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

http://thoroughbredtimes.com/nationa...ommitment.aspx

I read Fairplex might take over the dates. Get ready for the....Fairplex Gold Cup???

They just spent all that money for the cushion at Hollywood and now they might close it. I know it's in a bad area, but it's one of the major tracks in the country still. Shouldn't it have some sort of historic protection?!

Bad area? i loved it around the Inglewood area when i was there

Seriously, though, i hope it doesn't close. It's one track i've always wanted to go to.

[hi_im_god]

i used to find it amusing when posters on other boards got their panties in a knot over frank stronach.

all he did is turn santa anita into a place you wouldn't be ashamed to take your girlfriend. frontrunner's and sirona's were great improvements. they continue plans for a better santa anita.

meanwhile churchill wouldn't pay to put a new coat of paint on hollypark.

so for all you former t-bred times and espner's...

scoreboard!